Question

Describe THREE major challenges to the captive propagation and release of endangered species. Which species do you think are best suited to reintroduction efforts and why? Find an example from the literature describing the successful reintroduction of an endangered species (aside from Californian condors) back into the wild. What were the main challenges in the case study you found and what management recommendations might you make in the future?

Answer 1

Captive propagation and breeding is a way by which there is an attempt made at increasing the population of the endangered species and their re-entry into the population. There is intentional and deliberate breeding of the animals to increase their number so that they can be released in their natural habitat to take care of the depleting population. However, this comes with many challenges. Three major challenges in captive propagation and the release of the endangered species are:-

1. The first major drawback comes from the very high cost associated with the captive breeding and propagation program. The whole process of breeding and maintenance of the suitable environment for the animals to grow and develop makes the process challenging.
2. Lack of proper survival skills – There is a lot of difference between the animals which have grown up in their natural habitat and ones which are put in it after captive breeding. They are biologically weak and do not have the right skills like prey hunting and food gathering and it takes time for them to learn which questions their survival rate.
3. Lack of proper support – When there are a lot of animals in the captivity, it tends to divide the resource and hence each of the animals is limited to the use of the resources. This might cause a problem as the facilities might not be able to support the animals and hence the animals might be weak.

The species which are more healthy and genetically diverse are the most suitable when it comes to incorporating it in the existing population. The species which are endangered are the most suitable as it helps in increasing the population and reduces the risk of being eliminated. They can also be introduced when the population of a particular prey needs to be balanced. An example is species reintroduction of the wolves which helps in controlling overpopulation of the elk or the deer population.